Peregrine Falcons first nested on Derby's Cathedral, England, in 2006. Our Peregrine Project is now run by a partnership between Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Derby City Council, Derby Cathedral and the Cathedral Quarter. Here is what's happening in 2017. . .

Static Pages

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Tuesday Update

Update: Wednesday 15:10. Our second bird has left the nest. Thanks to all the commenters - it seems it flew around 14:35 local time. We're off out now to see if we can check on her progress and will report back in as soon as possible.

We now have one successfully fledged youngster, plus one peregrine still in the nest tray which has not yet flown, which we see in the video below.

Last night (Monday 14th June) the only youngster to have left the nest ledge so far was spotted on the low tower of nearby St Michael's Church. Later in the evening it flew back to the north side of Derby Cathedral's tall tower, where it remained all night. Then this morning it flew strongly across to the top of nearby Jury's Inn Hotel (the building you see in our tower-top webcam) and then at around 9am it flew back again to land on one of the four tower spires.

Meanwhile its sibling remained in the nest, becoming somewhat agitated when the first juvenile flew back from Jury's Inn. From the amount of white feathers still on it, it probably won't fly today, though we can never be sure. Either way, it can't be long now. (see video above)

High in the skies over Derby city centre we also saw the tiercel (male peregrine) circling in the air, obviosly looking for potential prey, whilst the falcon (female peregrine) was on a ledge high up on the tower.

Have there ever been any attacks on persons watching the falcons? Have the mother and father teamed up to dive and circle interested onlookers?

This weekend at the UB Buffalo, NY in the US my friend and I had to take cover under trees as both parents attacked us, thankfully they didn't make contact, but swooped and circled and dived like a velociraptor. It was absolutely terrifying and I am sure I will never leave my car to look at the falcons again. They fledged on Sunday. According to the WIVB.COM News Channel 4, Buffalo NY website, these attacks have only gotten worse. A pitbull was physically attacked, the owner had to use force to get the mother falcon off the dog. Dog was left bloodied with deep scratches. A worker on a rooftop, several blocks away from the nest was knocked off the roof and bit and clawed by the mother falcon. Thankfully he had ropes tied to himself and was saved from landing perilously on the ground. A teenage boy, just walking down the street was attacked and chased into the street, thankfully no cars were whizzing by. Is this normal? I would greatly appreciate some type of response. Thank you so very much

Thanks for the update and the video, I put some screen captures on flickr of the same sequence. I also have, somewhere, a screen capture of a peregrine in flight from the Jury's Inn but can't seem to find it at the moment.

No Michele, the Derby birds keep a good distance away even when the chicks are being ringed, only the falcon coming as close as to circle the top of the tower.I've heard of falcons buzzing people, ie flying very close, even touching them with their wingtips but never attacking as you describe.Perhaps American peregrines are more aggressive than European birds....I'll check that out. Certainly I've never heard of such behaviour before.Nick B (DWT)

Excellent video. However, maybe someone should let the remaining bird know that he/she stands more chance of actually taking off if he/she actually faces outwards :) rather than facing the next ............. (sorry, couldn't resist that)

Just to add to Nick B.'s and Arjen's comments: I was aware that in N America there have been a small number of instances of peregrines get very close or even attack those attempting to ring(or "band")their chicks, but checks in the UK a few years ago suggested this had never been reported here. When I've been abseiled down with our ringers in the past, it's clear the adults do get agitated for a brief period, but they do stay a long way from us, albeit circling noisily around the tower.

The link to the Sheraton slideshow Arjen supplied clearly shows how much more intimidating the birds can be over there. (Ouch!) Look for the third image from the end; is that ringer slumped unconscious on the floor? ;-)

The risk to ringers here seems really minimal, and to anyone watching on the ground it is absolutely non-existent.

But wild birds do inately have a drive to protect their nests, and I think there was an instance in the UK reported in national papers last week of a buzzard doing a similar thing. The fact that it hits the national press shows just how unusual this kind of occurrence is.

So do come on down to tomorrow's Wildlife Trust watchpoint and maybe you'll be lucky enough to see the maiden flight of our second juvenile from the absolute safety of Cathedral Green (but always watch the traffic when crossing the road.)

Early evening update from Christine and Cliff who've been there most of the day keeping an eye on the birds.The fledged juvenile is on the cathedral still but somewhat lower down. It has been fed apparently.There have been many food passes between the parents today, some successful and some not....exciting to watch.Watch Point tomorrow might see the second one go. We'll see!Nick B (DWT)

We went down and joined the John, Christina and Cliff watching the birds this evening. The juvenile was flying much more confidently this evening and did a few short flights finishing on one of the pinnacles below mum. At one point mum flew out towards the council house calling but it was unclear of the reason for this. Dad put in a brief appearance and circled the tower before heading off in the direction of the police ariel. A magpie was cheeky enough to try to steal some food which had been cached on the vestry roof - the female soon reminded him it was their food!!. We left at 8.30 Chris and Andy

23.05 Our lonely little juvie is keeping an almost midnight? vigil sitting on the ledge and looking out at the world! Aaw! I hope he/she doesn't rush into fledging too soon but it is looking really lonely up there on its own. Anonth

It is now approaching midnight and the juvie on the scrape has been sat on the edge looking out for most of the evening, mum is on the tower above. The juvie has just been preening and had a short wing stretch - very active for the time of night. there is no food left in the scrape and the juvie had a look around, she may be feeling hungry, the last food I saw her eat was teatime. She will be very hingry by morning I would expect so could an early fledge be expected?

Thankyou so much for the wonderful news!! I am so pleased that the first fledger is doing well, i have my fingers crossed for a safe one for the other chick now!! Heres hoping all goes extremely well xxx

Doesn't seem that the second youngster is particularly keen on flying off....... Is this usual that one leaves well before the other one? I hope it's alright...... Mind you, it might be just indulging in some sunbathing :)

WOW - how lucky am I - watched the second chic "Pinky" finally take the plunge at 14:35 and 28 seconds. Hope it's maiden flight is as successful as the first chic "Perky" - so sad the nest is now empty but proud of Derby's achievement in fledging two World Cup Chic.